Jason grew up in the Chicago suburbs and has been a Chicago sports fan since watching John Paxson hit the game-winning 3-pointer in the 1993 NBA Finals. He has written about the NBA for SB Nation, FanSided and FanRag Sports. He is a contributor to BetChicago with a Chicago Bulls/NBA focus.

The 2020 NBA trade deadline is Thursday afternoon, and fireworks are already going off. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets [have reportedly agreed on a massive 12-player deal](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28638121/sources-clint-capela-robert-covington-part-four-team-trade) that sends Robert Covington to the Rockets and Clint Capela to the Hawks, among a host of other moving parts. The Timberwolves are getting a 2020 first-round pick from the Hawks via the Brooklyn Nets.
This came after a lot of the action had centered around the Timberwolves' dogged pursuit of Golden State Warriors guard D'Angelo Russell.
The Timberwolves went after Russell hard in the offseason, but the guard chose the Warriors as part of the sign-and-trade deal that saw Kevin Durant go to the Brooklyn Nets. Minnesota is suffering through a disastrous season, though, making them desperate to upgrade around Karl-Anthony Towns before he demands a trade himself. Russell and Towns are good friends, making this a natural chase.
The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor [first reported](https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/2/3/21121918/trade-deadline-dangelo-russell-clint-capela-robert-covington) efforts to complete a three-way deal featuring the Timberwolves, Rockets and Hawks that had a similar main framework as the trade ultimately agreed upon. The Timberwolves reportedly wanted to flip that 2020 Nets pick from the Hawks and their own 2020 first ([there are conflicting reports about this pick being offered](https://theathletic.com/1584685/2020/02/05/timberwolves-four-team-trade-robert-covington-shabazz-napier-noah-vonleh-keita-bates-diop/)) to Golden State as part of a package to get Russell, but the offer was declined.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski [confirmed these talks continued Tuesday](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28634277/sources-timberwolves-talks-multiteam-deal-land-dangelo-russell), and both Woj and [O'Connor](https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/2/4/21123496/andrew-wiggins-trade-golden-state-warriors-dangelo-russell) noted that Andrew Wiggins would likely have to go to the Warriors if a blockbuster trade went down. However, Golden State is reportedly seeking an unprotected 2021 first-round pick because that draft is considered stronger than 2020. That Wiggins contract would be a rough one to take on, so the Warriors are seeking a boatload of draft compensation in order to move on from Russell before they even get a chance to really see him play with Stephen Curry.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium [reported Tuesday night](https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1224899836455084033) that the Warriors were moving on from these discussions, and the other teams involved quickly moved to consummate the four-team deal with Denver. The Timberwolves could still engage the Warriors on a Russell trade, but for now those talks don't seem to be going anywhere. The New York Knicks [are reportedly also interested](https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1225144933708898307) in Russell.
As for the trade that went down, the Hawks have to love getting Capela to pair with Trae Young while giving up only a middling first-round pick and Evan Turner's expiring contract. The Rockets did have to give up a first-round pick along with Capela to get Covington (there are other moving parts both ways), but he's the 3-and-D guy they were coveting. Houston now looks to acquire a center, whether it's via trade or the buyout market. The Rockets are offered at 14/1 odds (+1400) to win the title and need more help in the frontcourt with Capela gone (Jordan Bell doesn't really count), even though they plan to play a lot of small ball with PJ Tucker at the 5.
The Nuggets (30/1 odds to win it all) gave up soon-to-be restricted free agents Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez in this trade (going to Minnesota) for a number of other role players and a first-round pick from Houston. Given the Nuggets are contenders, one has to think another move is coming for them. Denver, along with the Miami Heat, is reportedly interested in Jrue Holiday, [but indications](https://theathletic.com/1574979/2020/01/31/inside-pass-the-jrue-holiday-trade-market-plus-more-notes-from-around-the-nba/?source=twittered) are the New Orleans Pelicans plan to keep Holiday as Zion Williamson gets acclimated to the team.
Here are more players and teams to keep an eye on as the trade deadline approaches.
### Andre Iguodala
The Andre Iguodala situation is a unique one. The Warriors traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies to make room for Russell, but the two parties agreed for him to not join the team as the Grizzlies worked to find a trade. Memphis got a first-round pick from Golden State in the deal and has been trying to get another first-round pick by trading the veteran away.
Iguodala is still on the surprisingly eighth-seeded Grizzlies with his $17.2 million salary, [and The Athletic's David Aldridge reports](https://twitter.com/davidaldridgedc/status/1224488881552338945) he's prepared to sit out the season if he doesn't get dealt to one of his preferred teams. Grizzlies youngsters Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant [have thrown shade at the veteran](https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-dillon-brooks-cant-wait-for-memphis-to-trade-andre-iguodala-so-they-can-play-him/), who's trying to use all his leverage to get to a contender.
The Los Angeles Lakers and L.A. Clippers have long been viewed as Iggy's desired spots. The Heat [have reportedly joined the fray](https://twitter.com/Stadium/status/1224699172030382086), and there are likely other teams involved. If there's no trade, will there be a buyout so the veteran can then choose his next spot? You'd have to think so.
__Editor's Note:__ According to ESPN, [Iguodala was traded](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28643193/source-grizzlies-agree-trade-andre-iguodala-heat) to the Heat Wednesday evening.
### Andre Drummond and Derrick Rose
Once Blake Griffin went down for the season, the assumption was the Detroit Pistons would look to sell, with all eyes turning to Andre Drummond and Derrick Rose. Drummond can become a free agent if he declines his $28.8 million player option, while Rose is playing his best basketball since his MVP days on an affordable two-year deal.
There hasn't been much traction on Drummond because of his contract demands and uneven play. There were discussions with the Hawks, but those went dead, and Atlanta has moved on to acquiring Capela. The Pistons may still wind up trading Drummond, but the return likely won't be all that good.
Unsurprisingly, Detroit wants major value in return for Rose, [reportedly asking for a lottery-level pick](https://theathletic.com/1574979/2020/01/31/inside-pass-the-jrue-holiday-trade-market-plus-more-notes-from-around-the-nba/?source=twittered). The Pistons might not get that, but the veteran guard is worth a first.
Detroit [has also reportedly had conversations](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28631480/suns-trade-talks-pistons-guard-luke-kennard) with the Phoenix Suns on a Luke Kennard trade, though nothing has been completed.
### Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson
Both Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson want out of Cleveland. The Cavaliers are awful and in store for a long rebuild, so these veterans want to go play for something again.
Unfortunately for Love, trade talks are mostly dormant due to his massive contract. Love is still a good player, but he's on the wrong side of 30. The current expectation is he remains in Cleveland.
Thompson's desire to leave the Cavaliers is more recent, [according to The Athletic's Joe Vardon](https://theathletic.com/1583286/2020/02/04/a-tristan-thompson-trade-is-now-a-priority-if-this-is-the-end-of-his-cavs-tenure-what-a-run-it-has-been/?source=shared-article). [Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor says](https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2020/02/cleveland-cavaliers-asking-for-first-round-pick-in-trade-for-tristan-thompson-sources-say.html) Cleveland wants a first-round pick in return for Thompson, whose market could heat up now that Capela has been moved.
### Lakers and Clippers
The Lakers (2/1 championship odds, or +200) and Clippers (+300) are the first and third favorites to win the NBA title, with the Bucks (+280) between them. Both Los Angeles teams are looking to upgrade their respective rosters in order to increase their chances.
There has been plenty of chatter surrounding Kyle Kuzma. There have reportedly been talks with the Sacramento Kings, but the Lakers want Bogdan Bogdanovic [and that appears to be a no-go](https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article239968203.html).
Rose could be an option for either team as another shot creator and playmaker, though both teams are also monitoring Darren Collison's comeback situation [as he eyes a return](https://heavy.com/sports/2020/02/darren-collisons-timeline-for-lakers-clippers-signing-revealed/) after the All-Star break.
Marcus Morris is another popular name being bandied about as he continues his career season. The New York Knicks [are reportedly now open](https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1224770236458721280) to trading him after firing president Steve Mills and changing direction.
The Clippers could use more help in the frontcourt in general. Ivica Zubac is solid, and Montrezl Harrell is a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, but Harrell is a trade candidate himself, and getting another legitimate center in there would help against the big Lakers. Rumors have linked Andre Drummond, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson to L.A.
### Pacers
The Indiana Pacers (100/1 odds for title) just got Victor Oladipo back from his knee injury, and it has been rough sledding so far. An [adjustment period was expected](https://www.betchicago.com/victor-oladipo-returns-pacers-bulls-indiana-fans), though, and the Pacers will be patient as they wait for their star to find a rhythm.
Don't expect anything too splashy from Indiana unless there's a Myles Turner trade. [Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher reported](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2874053-nba-execs-dish-on-how-lakers-clips-d-rose-might-shake-up-trade-deadline?share=twitter) that Turner was available, but it would still be a surprise if the Pacers bail on him now, given how important he is to their defense as a rim protector.
In the backcourt, [ESPN's Zach Lowe believes](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28622376/nba-trade-talk-happen-deadline) Aaron Holiday could fetch a first-round pick, but there doesn't seem to be interest in a trade. Holiday played well in Oladipo's absence, though his role has diminished with the star back.
### Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are 19-33 heading into the trade deadline, putting them in a position to sell. Thaddeus Young and Denzel Valentine are the two likeliest on the move. The Clippers showed interest in Young a while ago, and in general the veteran would be better served on a contender. Valentine hasn't found a consistent spot in Jim Boylen's rotation, and NBC Sports Chicago's [K.C. Johnson reports](https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/breakdown-each-bulls-chance-get-traded-thursdays-deadline) the Philadelphia 76ers and Grizzlies as possible destinations.
Kris Dunn was also a trade candidate, but his sprained MCL complicates matters and likely kills any chance of a deal. It would be a surprise to see the Bulls make any bigger moves, with Zach LaVine "off limits," per The New York Times' Marc Stein.
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